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"Echos of Resilience with Jess Jocay on Music Saved Me" - Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight | Wave AI Podcast Notes

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"Echos of Resilience with Jess Jocay on Music Saved Me"

Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight

Wed Sep 10 2025

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Echoes of Resilience with Jess Jacoi on Music Saved Me"

Podcast: takin' a walk – Music History On Foot
Host: Lynne Hoffman (guest-hosting on "Music Saved Me")
Guest: Jess Jacoi, Nashville-based singer-songwriter
Date: September 10, 2025
Duration: ~52 minutes (content summarized, advertisements omitted)

Overview

This episode features an in-depth and heartfelt conversation with Jess Jacoi, an acclaimed Nashville singer-songwriter celebrated for her emotionally-rich, cinematic folk music. The discussion centers on music as a tool for healing, resilience in the face of personal struggle, the power of vulnerability on and offstage, and the realities of pursuing a creative life in the modern world. Jess shares personal stories of loss and recovery, the hopes embedded in her songwriting, and her perspective on navigating today’s challenging music industry.

Main Topics & Key Insights

The Roots of Self-Doubt and the Importance of Support

Self-Doubt as a Common Struggle ([01:10]–[02:32])
Jess and Lynne agree that self-doubt is often more self-imposed than a reaction to outside negativity.

"I have stood in my way more times than not. That’s just the honest truth."
— Jess Jacoi ([01:33])
Value of Support Systems
Jess credits her mother as her foundation and "roots in the earth," underscoring the necessity of surrounding oneself with uplifting people.

Jess’s Musical Beginnings: Influence of Family and Country Icons

Early Musical Inspirations ([07:12]–[08:43])
Jess recalls singing as a child and stories from her mother, such as having movie soundtracks played to her before birth.
- Key artists: Shania Twain’s "Up!", Alan Jackson’s "Drive," and Chris Daughtry.
“My dad and I were super close growing up…and every day on the way to school, that was kind of our soundtrack.”
— Jess Jacoi ([08:15])

Music’s Healing Power: Defining Moments

Realizing Music’s Transformative Ability ([09:03])
Jess describes a profound moment when a listener expressed how her song "Hope, Such a Long Way" moved her to tears at Porch Fest in Kentucky.

“She’s like, ‘I didn’t know I needed to hear that song, but I needed to hear that song’ … this is not just for me.”
— Jess Jacoi ([09:13])
Porch Fest Explained ([11:04]–[12:15])
Porch Fests, community-based music gatherings, foster connections between artists, hosts, and listeners.

Music as Solace in Grief and Transition

Personal Loss and Emotional Resilience ([13:12]–[16:42])
Jess lost her father to cancer at 19, a swift and traumatic experience that galvanized her move to Nashville and her creative path.
- She leaned on songs like "Come Thou Fount" (King’s Kaleidoscope), "Oh God" (Citizens), and "Tomorrow Will Be Kinder" (The Secret Sisters) for comfort in her darkest moments.
“Those were probably the three songs that got me through. Most especially ‘Tomorrow Will Be Kinder.’ I still will probably weep… but it’s a good comfort song.”
— Jess Jacoi ([15:37])

Songwriting: Vulnerability, Abstraction, and Impact

Walking the Line of Vulnerability ([17:16]–[18:28])
Jess acknowledges the nuanced balance between being raw and leaving enough abstraction to allow listeners to bring their own meaning.

"If you keep it real... I tried to have those raw moments but keep it abstract enough that people could find their own meaning in those lyrics."
— Jess Jacoi ([18:14])
Artistry vs. Commercial Pressure
Drawing from influences like Jason Isbell and Gregory Alan Isakov, Jess strives for honest expression—often focused more on artistic process than outside judgment.

Recurring Themes: Hope, Silver Linings, and Serendipity

Core Lyric Motifs ([27:05]–[29:12])
Hope and silver linings recur throughout her discography ("Silver Linings," "Let There Be No Despair," "Cul de sac Kid"), with an intentional drive to leave listeners with optimism, not just catharsis.

"If I’m going to punch you in the gut, I should give you a hug afterwards."
— Jess Jacoi ([27:48])
Serendipity and the Value of Difficult Experiences
Jess views hardships as essential to personal growth, often finding their meaning only in hindsight.

Fan Relationships and Inspiration

How Fans Shape Creativity ([30:12]–[31:36])
Interactions and conversations—sometimes with fans across the globe—inspire lyrics and themes. Songs may amalgamate various lived conversations and experiences.

“A lot of my songs… are amalgamations of different conversations I've had or things that happen in my day.”
— Jess Jacoi ([30:29])

Navigating the Modern Industry: Social Media and Self-Worth

Industry Pressures and Social Metrics ([34:08]–[38:13])
Jess candidly discusses the anxiety fostered by social media metrics, the pressure for followers and streams, and the tradeoff between artistic integrity and algorithmic visibility.

"It seems to be creating a roadblock for me to advance in the industry. ... At the end of the day, those 3,200 people who follow you, they’re real people. They are people you have met along the way."
— Jess Jacoi ([36:54])

Music as Healing, Connection, and Authenticity

Why Music Heals ([42:42]–[43:53])
Music’s healing comes from its multifaceted nature—sometimes the lyrics, sometimes the melody, sometimes the person themselves.

"I think it can be everything and only one thing, you know, all of those things in one thing."
— Jess Jacoi ([42:50])
The Call for More Human Connection
Both host and guest stress the importance of slowing down, stepping away from devices, and seeking authentic interactions through art and conversation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Self-Doubt:
“I have stood in my way more times than not.” – Jess Jacoi ([01:33])
On Fan Encounters:
“This is not just for me...I always say like, I'm a steward of these songs...finding people along the way who really resonate with them, I was like, wow, maybe that was written for you.” – Jess Jacoi ([09:13])
On Grief:
“I just played those three songs, like, over and over and over in my headphones… Those were probably the three songs that got me through.” – Jess Jacoi ([15:37])
On Themes in Her Work:
“If I’m going to punch you in the gut, I should give you a hug afterwards.” – Jess Jacoi ([27:48])
On Social Media Pressures:
“It seems to be creating a roadblock for me to advance in the industry. ... At the end of the day, those 3,200 people who follow you on Instagram, they’re real people.” – Jess Jacoi ([36:54])

Key Timestamps

[01:10] – Discussion on self-doubt and personal motivation
[07:12] – Musical beginnings and childhood influences
[09:03] – The healing power of music: porch fest revelation
[13:12] – Story of Jess’s father, moving to Nashville, and music as solace
[17:16] – Vulnerability in songwriting
[27:05] – Recurring themes: hope and silver linings
[34:08] – Social media anxiety and industry expectations
[42:42] – The question: what makes music healing?
[47:27] – Music to change a mood: Don Williams’ "I’m Just a Country Boy"
[47:46] – Life soundtrack title: "Just try it (don’t be scared)"

Closing Thoughts

Jess Jacoi’s journey highlights the healing role of music in overcoming pain, loss, and self-doubt. Her grounded approach to songwriting champions honesty and resilience, advocating for creative authenticity in an industry often weighed down by numbers and trends. Through candid stories, tangible advice, and memorable moments, Jess reminds listeners of the universal threads of hope and connection that music can provide.

Final Takeaway:

“Just try it. Don’t be scared. … Keep doing you, and try to be happy along the way.”
— Jess Jacoi ([47:46], [33:43])

For more, listen to Jess Jacoi’s music and follow her journey for further reflections on hope, healing, and authenticity in the creative life.

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Transcript

Lynne Hoffman (0:00)

Welcome to another episode of the Music Save Me podcast where the transformative power of music takes center stage. Today I am. Well, let's first tell you. I'm Lynne Hoffman and today my guest is Nashville based, acclaimed singer songwriter Jess Jacoi. Did I say that right?

Jess Jacoi (0:17)

Perfect. Nailed it.

Lynne Hoffman (0:18)

Okay, good. Jess creates music for those navigating life's in between spaces. I just love that. Blending cinematic storytelling with folk, rooted introspection. And it's shaped by over a decade of loss, heartache and self doubt. Now, Jess's latest project has been making waves for its raw honesty and emotional depth. And it gives listeners really, a front row seat to the healing process through melody and words. Whether it's her new album, Cul de sac Kid, or her new single of the same name, Jess is proving that music isn't just a soundtrack, it is a lifeline. Get ready for a glimpse into her creative spark, how she fights against self doubt, and the way her newest work is helping fans find hope in unexpected places. Jess Jacoi, welcome to Music Saved Me. It is so nice to meet you.

Jess Jacoi (1:08)

Oh, thank you. And likewise.

Lynne Hoffman (1:10)

You know, the thing that popped out to me in that intro for you was the word self doubt. And before we really get started, I feel like that is one of the biggest issues that holds people back. I feel like we all deal with self doubt and it's that kind of thing that keeps getting in the way of our own success. Yeah, you know, you come up with excuses and, you know, we do it to ourselves a lot, don't we?

Jess Jacoi (1:33)

I think more so probably than the world does it to us in a sense. I mean, I know there's going to be naysayers out there and people who say like, oh, you should probably get a real job, you know, that kind of thing. But I think at least I can only speak for myself. I have stood in my way more times than not. You know, that's just the honest truth. And, and I'm very, very blessed to have people around me especially, you know, shout out to my mom, who's my best friend, you know, she is really like my foundation and my roots in the earth to stay tethered and grounded and just say, hey, you know what, it's cool. You got this, you know, and she does not hesitate to do that at any chance. So, you know, it's, it's definitely a matter of who, who you get to be surrounded by or who you surround yourself with. But yeah, it's, it's there like that self doubt is, it's always there. I think at least it can be. It's always kind of something you're up against.

Jess Jacoi (13:32)

Not in the sense of like the loss. I mean, my, my dad passed away when I was 19 from lung cancer. And that was a pretty tumultuous time. Just from the time he was diagnosed to the time we lost him was about six months. So it was all pretty fast and very, very unexpected. So I wasn't. In a sense, I think I was. And I wasn't kind of running away from that. I had always wanted to live in Nashville. My grandparents lived in Kentucky and we would go and see them and they're about two hours from Nashville. So at first it was go see the grandparents and make a stop in Nashville. And then over the years it was go to Nashville and then make sure to go see grandma and grandpa. And it was always with this building dream that Music City was where I would end up. And God's honest truth, like my dad passing gave me like a bigger reason to go. And honestly, like it was a bunch of doors opening at once of. I got accepted into Belmont University, maybe a Year later, not even a year later. So I had a reason to move as well, to go study songwriting there in Nashville. But as for music at that time, I do remember, you know, being in the hospital with him, and there was a few songs that I would just play on repeat. One was Come Thou Fount by King's Kaleidoscope. That version. Another one was oh, God by Citizens, and there was, like, a YouTube version I had found that was maybe not the recorded version. So it's kind of like leaning on my faith a whole lot. And then the other one was Tomorrow Will Be kinder by the Secret Sisters. Just played, like. I remember one night being kind of on the last nights and just playing those three songs, like, over and over and over in my headphones, stretch out on, you know, three chairs put together for a bed. Yeah, it was. Those were probably the three songs that got me through. Most especially Tomorrow Will Be kinder, like that song, I still Will probably weep. I don't. I don't listen to it as much just because I think it will get me choked up, but it's one of those songs that I think I needed, and. And I think it's a good comfort song.

Jess Jacoi (34:08)

I think this is going to be a long winded response, so bear with me. I think a lot of my personal mental exhaustion anxiety at XYZ has come from the social aspect and the pressure and the reliance put on that. You know, I think it's so wonderful that we have the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world and get to. The fact that there are people in the Netherlands who like my music is insane to me. But I think the emphasis being placed on the importance of those numbers and streams and view counts in relation to the caliber of art that you're creating and putting out there is becoming a little bit off kilter in my personal opinion. You know, you see all these, these videos, real or not, of like, people getting turned down by record labels on the phone because they need at least 10,000 followers or I just saw a video, I joked to my mom, I was like, well, I guess I'm not getting signed by a booking agent because they want this, you know, and it's like, well, I'm playing breweries and living my best life, you know, this, that and the other kind of keeping it low key. Does that impact the kind of music I'm creating? I don't think so. But because of that, it seems to be creating a roadblock for me to advance in the industry. And so that is a stressor, you know, like, that will cause me anxiety. And I go back and forth of just like trying to find that balance of I want to move up in the world and I want to advance and grow and share my music with more and more people. But at the rate I'm going, man, how is the industry gonna care? And I just think, and. And one thing I had been told over and over again is like a. My mom again. My mom, she's like, who made up all these rules? Who says you can't do this, this and this? And I'm like, well, it's best practice. And she's like, well, that's silly, you know, figure out for yourself. And she has always said since college, filter in what you need and filter out what you don't. And I try really, really hard. And I have to work really, really hard to remember that, because it is so easy to get caught up in, like, oh, well, I only have this amount of followers. I only have this many, you know, monthly listeners on Spotify and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And it's like, okay, but at the end of the day, like, those 3,000, you know, 3,200 people who follow you on Instagram, they're real people. They are people you have met along the way from playing live music. You didn't pay for them. They are honest to goodness, salt of the earth people who have jumped on your bandwagon and like what you do. And if that doesn't mean anything, then that's a disrespect to them. So while you may not be where you want to be in the world, a, it's probably not where you're going to be forever, you know, even though it feels like it in the moment, B, you just gotta do what makes you happy. And that's something I struggled with for a long time over the last few years, was I was just not happy creating music. I was doing it because I wanted to move up in the industry, and I felt like no one was taking me seriously in the industry. And it was just like this toilet bowl of nonsense. You just gotta find a way to be happy in it. And at the end of the day, how you create music and how you present it online, like they're connected. But if you're thinking about how you're gonna film it first, as to, you know, what you're gonna write, I don't know. I just think there has to be a balance. And I think we have to remember that the Internet could go out tomorrow. Probably won't, but it could. And at the end of the day, you're still a real human making music. And people need music in their lives, you know, so do with that what you will. But there. There has to be a balance in there.